Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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327. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will include the Magdalen laundries in the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31955/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government has undertaken to establish a Commission of Investigation into the concerns that have arisen in relation to Mother and Baby Homes. The decision to establish a Commission of Investigation into these matters received the unanimous endorsement of this House and I intend to report back to the House before summer recess on the progress being made to establish the Commission. The Government has also publicly confirmed that the intended scope of this investigation will go beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, Co. Galway.

The process of developing detailed terms of reference for the Commission is being supported by the work of a high level Cross Departmental Review Committee. The Committee was asked to complete its considerations by the 30th June so as to inform Government's deliberations. My predecessor, Minister Flanagan, received the interim report of the Committee in line with the due date and I am now consulting with Government colleagues on the decisions to be made on foot of this report and the earlier endorsement of the House of the proposal to establish a Commission of Investigation.

The appropriate model, including the debated matters to be investigated and the proposed approach to these matters, is being considered as part of the consideration of the Commission's terms of reference. All of the matters raised publicly and submitted to my Department with regard to the proposed Commission's terms of reference will be given consideration in arriving at an overall scope for the Commission which is workable and effective.

A key task of the initial scoping work is to ensure that a realistic approach is taken to investigating these matters. Our approach should have regard to the facts established through recent inquiries into related institutions, and the general experience gained in conducting similar investigations into matters of public importance. Establishing an appropriate inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner is the primary concern for Government.